Glossary
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Advance Australia Fair
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The National Anthem of Australia.
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Afribillation
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A change in the rhythm of the heart where the time between the beats becomes erratic.
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Bullfighting Terms
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Cavaleiro y Cavaleira
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Portuguese horse riders, who train the Lusitanos to fight in the corrida against the bulls.
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Corrida
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The arena where bullfights are held.
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Forcados
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A group of eight men who face and challenge the bull while on foot.
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Taurina
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A bicycle, ridden by a cavaleirol with horns on the front used to teach the Lusitanos how to fight the bulls.
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Dressage Terms
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Australian Dressage Team
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A combination of three or four horses and riders selected by Australia to represent their country in major international competitions such as the Olympics and World Equestrian Games (WEG).
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Federation Equestre
Internationale (FEI) |
Based in Switzerland, the FEI oversees all equestrian sports.
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FEI Grand Prix
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The ultimate test of skill, harmony, and athleticism for dressage riders and horses. The test consists of 33 movements, each graded by a panel of five or seven judges.
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FEI Grand Prix Freestyle
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A test allowing riders to use their creativity to design and complete a unique display to music. The test must use Grand Prix level movements but be performed in a way that is artistic and demonstrates exceptional harmony between the horse and rider.
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Groom
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The tireless, hardworking men and women of the stables managing everything from the stables to feed, as well as the appearance of horse and equipment.
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Judge
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marks the performance of the horse and rider based on criteria established by the governing body of the sport of dressage, the Federation Equestrian International (FEI) in Switzerland.
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Rider
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The person who rides and trains the horse for competition. The rider is also responsible for the care and well-being of the horse, including his health, comfort, and safety.
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Four-in-Hand
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A team of four horses pulling a carriage in competition with a driver, a groom, and also a navigator. The most difficult phase is called the Marathon. Also called Combined Driving.
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Olympic Games
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An international competition of sporting events held every four years. More than 10,000 competitors vie for gold, silver, and bronze medals in 80 different events.
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World Equestrian Games
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The international equestrian championship held every four years and including all ten equestrian disciplines administered by the FEI.
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Horse Breeds
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Warmblood
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The warmblood is a breed of horse developed in Europe for sporting competitions. It is a cross between the cold blood horses, such as the large Clydesdales, Percherons also called draft horses and the hot blood horses, such as the Thoroughbreds used in racing.
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Lusitano
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One of the Iberian horse breeds originally used by the Romans in their calvary. They named these horses after the region where they were discovered– the ancient name for Portugal, Lusitania.
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Horse Gaits
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Walk
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The manner in which a horse moves is called a gait. The walk is the slowest gait, averaging between 60 and 70 steps per minute and has four beats.
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Trot
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A two beat gait with the diagonal pair of legs moving together and landing simultaneously. The trot is approximately twice as fast as the walk gait.
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Canter
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A three beat gait that is faster than trot, covers more ground, and may have more suspension in the air.
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Horse Movements
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Flying Changes
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In the canter, the horse will lead with either the left or right front leg. A flying change is to switch the lead leg. This requires the horse to create extra energy from his hind legs and propel himself forward while switching his lead legs. In the Grand Prix test, the horse and rider must execute Flying Changes every stride, 15 times in a row, without an error.
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Passage
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A two beat gait similar to trot, but more elevated and at a slower rate. The horse appears to be dancing in the passage with an expressive forward trot that is higher off the ground than the normal trot.
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Piaffe
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A two beat gait with the horse keeping the diagonal leg pairs even and equal in the way they move while the horse remains on the spot.
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Pirouette
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A canter movement where the horse is trained to reduce its forward speed to near zero, while rotating effortlessly around a point on the ground and maintaining the three beat gait of the canter.
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Horse Tack or Gear
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Bridle
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A leather rig that envelops the horse’s head, holding the bits that rest in his mouth and the reins that are held by the rider.
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Saddle
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A leather seat designed to provide a secure and comfortable position for the rider and horse. Secured to the horse by a girth, than attaches on the sides of the saddle.
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Boots
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A leather shoe with sides that reach up to the rider’s knee. Essential for protecting the rider’s legs and helping keep the rider’s lower leg still while riding.
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Braids
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In dressage competitions, the horse’s mane is braided using any number of different styles to allow the judges an uninterrupted view of the horse’s movement during the test.
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Lightning Horn
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A device that warns anyone outdoors that lightening is close, normally within three miles.
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Polo Ponies
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A small thoroughbred-looking horse, bred for their acceleration and agility used in the sport of polo.
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Stable
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A stall with four walls made of wood where the horse lives, eats, sleeps, and relaxes away from his training.
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Stable Bedding
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Sawdust or small wood shavings that absorb moisture, but are soft, and allows the horse a comfortable bed for sleeping when he lies down.
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